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Why - And How - You Should Keep An Eye On Richmond

The men and women gathering in the state Capitol will make decisions that will affect your life.

During the General Assembly session, they'll decide how much you pay in taxes and what you get in return.

They'll decide whether you can smoke in restaurants, how big the fine is if you break a traffic law, and how easy it is to get an old marijuana charge wiped off a record. They'll decide whether Virginia continues to impose the death penalty and when the state can compel people to receive psychiatric treatment against their will.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Wednesday, January 16, 2008.A list of state legislators on Tuesday's editorial page misidentified Sen. John Miller of Newport News and Sen. Ralph Northam of Norfolk as Republicans. Both are Democrats. (Text corrected.)

They'll make all kinds of decisions with all kinds of consequences, from whether every student has to take physical education to whether high schools have to use wood bats. They'll decide how easy it is to get a permit to pollute the air and water - and what the penalty is for stealing cats.

They will act, sometimes, in ways that benefit you and sometimes in ways that benefit some other interest - that of a corporation or political party, perhaps - that trumps yours.

Here's one thing that's in your interest: Stay informed. Keep an eye on legislation in areas you're interested in. No matter what your concerns, it's worth keeping an eye on your representatives - what bills they're putting in and how they're voting.

It's easy now, with the legislature's online information service. Just go to leg1.state.va.us, and you can track bills and votes. Or use the new tools at dailypress.com/legislativewatch.

If you see something that concerns you, get in touch with the people who represent you and those in deciding roles. Cut out the accompanying list and stick it next to the phone or the computer. Because sometime in the next three months, these individuals will be making a decision that affects you, and you might want to tell them what you want them to do.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Address for all delegates:

P.O. Box 406

Richmond, VA 23218

* Del. William Barlow (D)

64th District: Includes Surry, Williamsburg; parts of Isle of Wight and James City counties

Phone: (804) 698-1064

E-mail: DelWBarlow@house.state.va.us

* Del. S. Chris Jones (R)

76th District: Includes parts of Suffolk

Phone: (804) 698-1076

E-mail: DelCJones@house.state.va.us

* Del. Tom Gear (R)

91st District: Includes Poquoson; parts of Hampton, York County

Phone: (804) 698-1091

E-mail: DelTGear@house.state.va.us

* Del. Jeion Ward (D)

92nd District: Part of Hampton

Phone: (804) 698-1092

E-mail: DelJWard@house.state.va.us

* Del. Phillip Hamilton (R)

93rd District: Parts of Newport News, James City County

Phone: (804) 698-1093

E-mail: DelPHamilton@house.state.va.us

* Del. Glenn Oder (R)

94th District: Part of Newport News

Phone: (804) 698-1094

E-mail: DelGOder@house.state.va.us

* Del. Mamye BaCote (D)

95th District: Parts of Hampton, Newport News

Phone: (804) 698-1095

E-mail: DelMBaCote@house.state.va.us

* Del. Brenda Pogge (R)

96nd District: Parts of Newport News, James City and York counties

Phone: (804) 698-1096

E-mail: DelBPogge@house.state.va.us

* Del. Harvey Morgan (R)

98th District: Includes Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex counties

Phone: (804) 698-1098

E-mail: DelHMorgan@house.state.va.us

SENATE OF VIRGINIA

Address for all senators:

P.O. Box 396

Richmond, VA 23218

* Sen. John Miller (D)

1st District: Poquoson; parts of Hampton, Newport News, York County

Phone: (804) 698-7501

E-mail: district01@sov.state.va.us

* Sen. Mamie Locke (D)

2nd District: Includes parts of Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk

Phone: (804) 698-7502

E-mail: district02@sov.state.va.us

* Sen. Thomas Norment Jr. (R)

3rd District: Includes Gloucester, James City, New Kent and York counties and Williamsburg; part of Newport News